Cavs after All-Star break: Return of Tall Ball

The Cavs return from the All-Star break with a game against the Detroit Pistons, not a bad opponent considering Cleveland entered the hiatus on a two-game losing streak.

The break offered a great opportunity for a national audience to get an up-close look at Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, but for the Cavs to be a deep playoff threat, J.B. Bickerstaff’s team really needs everyone clicking.

That’s why everyone should be looking forward to the return of Tall Ball founding member Lauri Markkanen. He’s been out since Jan. 22 with a high ankle sprain, but has practiced in full the last two days, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. The Cavs still haven’t determined if Markkanen will play against the Pistons.

Forward Dean Wade, who is listed at 6-foot-8, was a solid fill-in (they went 7-4 without Markkanen), but Tall Ball got its name because of the Cavs’ three 7-footers, Allen, Mobley and Markkanen.

Nobody would’ve guessed it at the start of the season, but Markkanen, asked to play small forward, was doing a good job of defending other team’s wing players, in addition to his role as a stretch-the-floor big man.

Cavs and Bickerstaff have things to figure out

Now, fans have to see how J.B. Bickerstaff handles the rotation with Markkanen back in the mix. Cleveland traded for Caris LeVert while Markkanen was out. Will Isaac Okoro continue to start? What about the flow of the second-team offense? I’m not sure Love and LeVert should be o the court at the same time.

There’s 24 regular-season games to figure things out.

The All-Star game was a well deserved party for the aforementioned Allen, Mobley and Garland, but let’s hope the Cavs’ go-to-guys stick with what got them to the ASG: Defense.

The  Cavs enter the unofficial second-half of the season ranked fourth in the NBA in defensive rating.

If Cleveland is going to win a playoff series or two, like we’re all starting to believe they can, that number will have to stick.